Paragon Reports 2Q and 6-Month Financial Results

Paragon Shipping Inc., a shipping transportation company specializing in drybulk cargoes and containers, announced its results for the second quarter and six months ended June 30, 2011.

Commenting on the results, Michael Bodouroglou, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Paragon Shipping, stated, “For the second quarter of 2011, Paragon reported Adjusted EBITDA of $15.4 million, and Adjusted Net Income of $5.2 million, or $0.09 per share, which excludes a non-cash non-recurring loss of $19.8 million, or $0.34 per share, relating to the share consideration received from Box Ships for the vessels sold to it, which was a result of the consideration received by Paragon being partly based on Box Ship’s share price on the delivery date of those vessels, and the write off of a portion of the book value of our oldest vessel, the M/V Crystal Seas, for which we are reviewing several options now that her time charter has expired, and certain other non-cash items.”

Bodouroglou continued, “Since the beginning of the year, the drybulk charter market has continued to decline and the orderbook is still at a high level. Subsequent to the second quarter, we have taken certain steps that we believe will position us well to take advantage of the opportunities that we expect to arise during these weak markets. Specifically, we no longer have exposure in the Kamsarmax segment of the market, we have agreed to extend one of our credit facilities that was maturing in 2012 by five years, we have agreed to amend the repayment profile of another credit facility to increase our cash flow. We have also fixed three vessels on time-charters, which improved our fixed rate time charter coverage to 95% of our fleet capacity in 2011, 57% in 2012 and 35% in 2013.”

He concluded, “We remain cautiously optimistic on the medium-term prospects of the drybulk market, and have the resources to take advantage of opportunities that may increase long term shareholder value.”